Shrewsbury wins Britain in Bloom award

The town scooped a gold and also came first in 'best small city' category.

Further awards were also given to the Dingle public park and Bowbrook allotments.

The ceremony was held in Cleethorpes on Saturday night and representatives from Shrewsbury were kept in the dark about their success until the announcements were made during the evening.

Lytham in Lancashire won a gold and was named the Champion of Champions by the Royal Horticultural Society at the ceremony.

Jon Tandy, the mayor of Shrewsbury, said: "We are very proud of the town's achievements. The Dingle was named the best park in the country. One of the judges said it was the best park he had ever seen in 30 years of judging the competition.

"It looks absolutely exceptional this year.

"We've also been entered into next year's Champion of Champions category, which is another big accolade."

Shrewsbury beat off competition from across Britain – including from this year's UK City of Culture – to win a top horticultural award.

The county town has been named champion in the 'best small city' category at this year's RHS Britain in Bloom awards.

Shrewsbury beat off competition from six other town's to be crowned the winner, including Bath, Bury and Derry City, which is the 2013 UK City of Culture.

Further awards were also given to the Dingle for the best 'public park' as well as Bowbrook allotments.

The ceremony was held in Cleethorpe on Saturday night and representatives from Shrewsbury were kept in the dark about their success until the announcements were made during the evening.

Jon Tandy, the Mayor of Shrewsbury, said: "We were very proud of the town's achievements.

"The Dingle was named the best park in the country. One of the judges said it was the best park he had ever seen in 30 years of judging the competition.

"It looks absolutely exceptional this year.

"We've also been entered into next year's Champion of Champions category, which is another big accolade."